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Nokia 3310 release date, specs news: Updated handset to be released in Q2 2017

Nokia-HMD Arto Nummel presents the Nokia 3310 during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain | Reuters/Paul Hanna

A lot of people became excited when the announcement was made that the Nokia 3310 will be revived and updated for a 2017 release. The handset was one of the most popular models in its heyday, so it was not surprising why those who want to get one of these are the people who have had one in the past.

On the surface level, the phone looks somewhat similar to its namesake, and it also features Snake, one of the original mobile phone games. However, some updates have been added to upgrade it from its circa-2000 specifications, but it is still essentially stripped to its basics, which is not necessarily a bad thing.

The 2017 Nokia 3310 comes with a 16 MB internal storage, although users can expand it up to 32 GB using a microSD card. It is a dual-sim handset. It can support Bluetooth connectivity, and, like most handsets, comes with a built-in FM radio.

Like its namesake, the 2017 Nokia 3310 is touted to have a long battery life as it comes with a removable 1,200 mAh pack, which can last for 22 hours of talk time, or 31 days on standby. No information, however, has been revealed yet if the phone is also as durable as the older model.

What may dissuade people from buying this phone, however, is its camera, which only has 2 megapixels and does not come with any additional features such as flash, panorama, video mode, and such. Buyers can also be turned off by its low-resolution 240 x 320 px display on a small 2.4-inch screen. The 2017 Nokia 3310 is also not WiFi enabled and does not support 3G and 4G. With that said, it can still be a good choice for those who use their phones for nothing beyond texting and calling.

The phone is priced at €49 or $50. It is set for release in the second quarter of 2017, although the actual date has not been disclosed yet.